A/N: Hey! This chapter's a bit shorter, but I think the second half will leave you all excited for more :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or Intelligence and/or their affiliates
A few days later, Riley settled into the movie theater seat, JJ sitting next to her. Riley had decided that after they'd spent days just talking and laying around the house that they both needed to get out, at least for a little while. JJ seemed to be doing okay, she was venting to Riley and had agreed to tell Hotch about her suicide attempt; he had then made her see the bureau grief counselor for three days in a row, and that had seemed to insight some sort of positive feelings within JJ.
Now, Riley smiled at JJ as she munched on some popcorn and her bright eyes watched the theater screen. They had spent every night together in that small guest room, and last night JJ had held Riley close and slept peacefully. Riley felt herself developing some sort of new feeling in her heart…she wasn't sure what, but whenever she was around JJ that feeling would make its presence known.
The movie started, and Riley noticed JJ inching closer to her. Riley rested her head on JJ's shoulder, a rush of serotonin making its way through her body.
JJ, unlike Riley, knew exactly how she was feeling; she loved Riley and that love was causing their close friendship to border on the edge of being romantic. JJ figured it was due to her own feelings of loneliness and grief, and that it would go away once some normalcy returned to her life. For now, she would simply indulge and let things take their own course.
They decided to go out to dinner, and Riley kept her eyes on JJ the entire time. They laughed and talked for over an hour after they had finished their food, Riley building up more and more of the unexplainable feeling as the night went on.
When they returned home, they changed into more comfortable clothes and decided to watch another movie on the couch in the living room. They sat with Riley's left arm around JJ, JJ's right leg resting on Riley's left, and JJ with her head on Riley's chest.
About halfway through the movie, JJ turned to Riley,
"Riley? Thanks for, well, everything. I probably wouldn't be here if you weren't with me."
Riley met her eyes with her own matching set,
"Sweetie. you're welcome. It's my job to make sure you're alright."
They smiled at each other, and Riley found herself giving JJ a once-over.
She brushed JJ's hair away from her eyes as they sat on the couch, their hands intertwined. Suddenly, JJ sat forward, and she inched closer to Riley. Riley knew exactly what was happening, so instead of waiting for JJ, she took the lead herself. She leaned into JJ, and pressed her lips to the blonde's. They held their positions for a moment, taking in the kiss, until JJ pulled away, sparks tingling her lips. Her intense gaze met Riley's. Worried, Riley looked harder at her,
"JJ I'm sorry, I didn't know if that's what you-"
She was cut off by JJ pulling her close and pressing her lips to Riley's, harder this time. JJ moved her lips in sync with Riley's and stroked Riley's hair as they kissed over and over. Riley felt JJ open her mouth slightly, so she let her tongue softly tickle JJ's mouth, and was pleasantly surprised when JJ sucked on it as they kissed. Riley moved her hands across JJ's collarbones, down her breasts, and onto her rib cage. JJ slid her hands down Riley's back, stopping with her fingertips resting right inside the waistband of Riley's leggings. They continued, overwhelming euphoria taking over them, until Riley felt something warm and wet touch her face. The pair came apart, and Riley looked up to see JJ crying.
"Oh my god JJ, what…what's wrong? I'm so, so, sorry, I didn't mean to push you I just…thought you liked it." She said, her voice full of concern.
JJ barely managed to choke out a sentence, but she pulled Riley into a hug,
"Riley, no, that isn't it at all. It's just that…the way you hold me, it's so gentle and yet so thrilling, and I mean I've always loved you, but I never thought I would love you like this, not as much as I do right now, and, I'm so thankful for you, really I am. You've been by my side all these years and I have never felt this way about anyone, not even Will. Please, stay."
Riley smiled and nodded, and leaned in for another kiss.
"I love you, JJ." She whispered to the blonde.
"I love you too, Riley."
